The Friar Faithful are mourning the loss of San Diego Padres pitching legend Randy Jones, who died Tuesday at the age of 75. No cause of death was announced.
Jones played 10 seasons in the majors from
1979 to 1983. He became the first face of the franchise during his eight seasons in San Diego. The highlight of his stay was winning the 1976 Cy Young Award with a 22-14 record and 2.74 ERA. Jones made 40 starts with 25 complete games and threw 315.2 innings pitched. He accomplished this feat by throwing a sinking fastball between 75-78 MPH on most nights.
Older members of the Friar Faithful believe his 1975 season was better. Jones was 20-12 with a 2.24 ERA in 36 starts. He finished second to Tom Seaver in Cy Young Award voting.
Born in Fullerton, Calif., on Jan. 12, 1950, the Padres drafted him in the fifth round of the 1972 MLB Draft. Jones made his major league debut in 1973.
The downfall of his career occurred when he tore a nerve near his left bicep tendon during the final start of the 1976 season. The injury was diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome that required immediate surgery. Unfortunately, his art of deception on the mound was lost forever.
Jones finished his major league career with the New York Mets, as he played two seasons in Flushing. He attempted to make the 1983 Padres roster, but failed to secure a spot on the pitching staff during Spring Training in Yuma.
In retirement, Jones’ popularity soared among the Friar Faithful. Often, they would mingle with him at his Randy Jones BBQ stand, first in Qualcomm Stadium, then at Petco Park. He could be heard or seen on the team’s radio and television pre- and postgame shows.
The franchise honored Jones by retiring his No. 35 in 1997 and inducting him into the Padres Hall of Fame first class in 1999.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017, Jones’ condition was linked to his lifelong use of chewing tobacco. During treatment, he was touched by the outpouring of support from the Friar Faithful. In May 2018, Jones was declared cancer-free by his doctors. Despite his health issues, he could be seen at Petco Park on most nights.
RIP, the old left-hander.
